United Explorer vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus is a solid choice for many travelers.

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• All points earned with the card, including from spending and anniversary bonuses, count toward qualifying for the valuable Southwest Companion Pass.
• As an entry-level card, it provides a lower annual fee than other Southwest options, making it accessible for those new to travel rewards.
• The 3,000 anniversary bonus points and two annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits can easily offset the card's $99 annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• All points earned with the card count toward qualifying for the valuable Southwest Companion Pass.
• Includes useful travel benefits like annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits and baggage delay insurance.
• Offers a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for a limited time and earns bonus points on common spending categories like gas and groceries.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks found on higher-tier cards, such as airport lounge access, upgraded boarding, or annual travel credits.
• The rewards program has some limitations, including capped bonus categories and less valuable redemption options outside of Southwest flights.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Explorer or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, depends entirely on your travel habits and airline loyalty.

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is ideal for frequent United flyers and international travelers who can take advantage of airline-specific perks and airport security benefits.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is best suited for budget-conscious travelers and occasional Southwest flyers who want to earn rewards toward the airline's popular Companion Pass.

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Redemption

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United Explorer: You can redeem your miles for flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partner airlines, offering a wide range of global travel options. Miles can also be used for other travel-related purchases, such as hotel stays and car rentals.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus: Points are redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, with the value of your points directly tied to the cash price of the ticket. While other redemption options like gift cards and merchandise exist, using points for Southwest flights typically provides the best value.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access & Security Screening: The United℠ Explorer Card offers two United Club℠ one-time passes each year and a statement credit of up to $100 for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card does not offer lounge access or credits for expedited security programs.
• Baggage & Boarding: Cardholders of the United Explorer Card receive their first checked bag free for themselves and one companion on the same reservation, plus priority boarding. The Southwest Plus Card provides two EarlyBird Check-In® services annually, a benefit that complements Southwest's standard policy of allowing two free checked bags for every passenger.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: A key difference for international travelers is that the United Explorer Card has no foreign transaction fees, while the Southwest Plus Card does include a fee for purchases made outside the U.S.
• In-Flight Savings: Both cards provide a 25% statement credit back on inflight purchases, including Wi-Fi, food, and beverages on their respective airlines.
• Signature Perks: Points earned with the Southwest Plus Card count toward the airline's highly valued Companion Pass®. The United card's value is enhanced by its connection to the vast Star Alliance network, providing extensive options for international award travel.

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Kudos is a financial companion tool that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best one for your spending habits.

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Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is an excellent choice for frequent United Airlines flyers who can easily offset the annual fee with benefits like a free checked bag. It also appeals to international travelers seeking no foreign transaction fees and those who value expedited security screening through credits for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®. Ultimately, this card is designed for budget-conscious travelers with good to excellent credit who want significant travel perks without a hefty price tag, especially with the annual fee waived for the first year.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers and beginners in the travel rewards space who want an affordable option. It's particularly valuable for budget-conscious travelers aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass without committing to a high annual fee. Overall, this card serves as a strong entry point for Southwest loyalists who fly several times a year but don't need the premium perks of a higher-tier card.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus comparison left you undecided, don't sweat it. Several other excellent travel rewards cards might be a better match for your wallet.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Good to excellent credit is typically required for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can meet the welcome offer spending requirement responsibly.
• Evaluate your travel habits - Consider if you fly the airline partner enough to maximize the card’s benefits.

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Application Strategy

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• Review issuer application rules - Be aware of issuer-specific policies that may impact your approval.
• Align with your travel plans - Apply before booking flights to use new travel perks immediately.
• Strategize for major rewards - Your spending can help you qualify for top-tier benefits like the Southwest Companion Pass.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The United Explorer Card is generally better for international travel because United Airlines and its Star Alliance partners offer a much larger global network. Southwest Airlines primarily flies to destinations in North America and the Caribbean.

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Can I transfer points from other programs to United or Southwest?

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Yes, both United MileagePlus and Southwest Rapid Rewards are transfer partners of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. This allows you to move points from eligible Chase cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, to top off your airline mileage balance for an award ticket.

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What happens to my miles if I close my credit card account?

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Your miles are deposited into your airline loyalty account, separate from your credit card, so they remain yours even if you cancel the card. Just be sure to keep your airline account active to prevent the miles from expiring according to that airline's policy.

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